Write a Setting for a Book

"The world only exists in your eyes - your conception of it. You can make it as big or as small as you want to." - F. Scott Fitzgerald

A setting is one of the most important elements of a good fiction novel. When properly developed, the setting can really bring your novel to life and captivate your readers. If you're having trouble coming up with a decent setting for your book, then this is the article for you.

Steps

Sample Setting Descriptions

Doc:Office Setting Description,Urban Setting Description,Country Setting Description

Writing Your Own Setting

  1. Spend a few minutes daydreaming about the world of your novel. Different writers find inspiration through different means. Some listen to music while mentally brain-storming setting ideas; some take a walk, waiting for inspiration to come from the real outdoor world; some simply sit in a quiet, peaceful place and think. Find what works best for you, and let yourself get lost inside your imagination.
  2. Once you have a few general ideas about your setting, it's time to start writing your ideas down. It doesn't have to be anything ground-breaking. You don't even have to write in full sentences if you don't want to - sometimes, writing down single words to describe your setting in the early stages of development is better than writing big chunky paragraphs. Write down anything that comes to mind, even if you're not sure it will work. You can easily scrap any ideas that you don't need later on. You could even roughly sketch your mental images of the setting, if that works better. Remember, do whatever feels right to you. There are no rules to follow. Let your ideas flow freely.
  3. Make your setting vivid. You need to create a gaping hole in the page that drops us into your world. If your setting is a rainforest, your animals need to roar and shriek and squawk; we need to be able to smell the cloying scent of exotic flowers, feel the wind and the rain against our skin, taste tangy juice dancing and singing in our mouths as we take a bite out of a strange but wonderful piece of fruit. Always take all five senses into account, even if you don't plan on making a note on them all, and if you feel that it would add to the scene, comment on the weather. It's completely up to you.
  4. "Show, don't tell" - it really does work. Writing something like "It was warm" doesn't leave much to the reader's imagination and will make it difficult to really connect with your novel. Instead, try experimenting with different language devices or unusual imagery ideas. Saying "A cloak of balmy sunlight embraced me lovingly" sounds much more interesting and engaging than "It was warm", doesn't it?
  5. Keep it in mind that you shouldn't always show but not tell. When writing an action scene, you need to keep your description of the setting and what's going on clear but concise. Too many language devices at one time tends to get on the reader's nerves and distracts us from the main plot, so don't over-use them. Once you really get into your setting, it becomes much too easy to ramble on and on about the scene. Remember that you have an actual story to tell. Stay focused on the plot and the characters.
  6. By now, you should have a pretty clear mental picture of the world that your characters live in. If you're not 100% immersed in your novel's setting yet, you can always do a little warm-up exercise. Write a page or two about your setting as you explore it. Use whatever perspective that comes most naturally to you. You could take on the role of an existing character in your book, make up a new character, or you could even write an account of the expedition from YOUR point of view. Let yourself get lost in the setting that you've created, and, more importantly, have fun with it.
  7. Find a good feedback system that works for you. You as The Writer don't always spot the same mistakes and inconsistencies that The Reader would. Show what you've written to someone you trust and ask them if your scene building is effective enough, or join an online writing forum.
  8. Keep going over it until it's perfect. Most good writers go over certain pieces of their writing so much, they come to know it off by heart. You can cut details that don't work, add more details that you think would create a more vivid scene, or simply read.
  9. If you really have a passion for the delicate craft of writing, then there's nothing you can't achieve.

Tips

  • Carry a small notepad around with you. Whenever you an idea hits you, quickly jot it down.
  • If your setting is somewhere you've never been before - e.g the desert, or the jungle - make sure you're well-researched and look at plenty of pictures online.
  • Read, read, read. Reading a brilliant piece of setting construction in a book can inspire you to make your own setting even more alive. Try different genres and different authors to experience varying styles of setting construction. This will help you distinguish your own unique style.
  • Come up with ideas as you carry out boring, every day chores. You can mentally brainstorm in the shower, or while you're doing the vacuuming.

Warnings

  • Sitting hunched over a notepad or a computer for long periods of time can be damaging to your eyesight and your posture. Get a good quality chair and take regular breaks from writing.

Things You'll Need

  • A pen and a notepad
  • A computer or laptop
  • A comfortable place where you find it easy to think and concentrate

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